Thelma Mason-Wiggins
According to what I have recorded, Pa, "Thomas Maloney Mason" died in 1953 at age 72. I did not record this, but I seem to remember December 18 as the date the obituary would appear in the newspaper afterwards. I also remember hearing them say that the doctor said "he was a strong old man, but his heart failed". So he had a heart attack. He apparently just wanted to go for a swim and perhaps the activity was too much for his heart. He was floating in the sea. I was a little girl then but I still remember the profound sadness that prevailed the day he died. It seemed like the whole world was crying. There was a good amount of wailing. What a man he must have been to evoke such emotions! I think of it now and the tears come to my eyes because I loved him so much. For a time, don't remember how long, I would leave our home every night to go "uphome" to sleep with him. Apparently I could not fall asleep unless he was scratching my back. That continued until my father pronounced one day "this damn foolishness got to stop". Until the day pa died I did not understand that he and Ma could be snatched away by death. Ma was attending Mrs Ford in Bayfield who had recently given birth and she fainted when she heard. I remember him in the coffin. I think there was dried blood on the side of the face from an autopsy. I do not remember the burial. Folks, Thomas Maloney and Theodora Mason will continue to live in my heart to the end of time.
What a Pair! Their lives will continue to extend with every new arrival on this branch of the family. May their souls rest in peace!! I would love to see them again in the resurrection.
Sheila Butcher
I was informed a couple months ago that Janet was the last hurricane to hit B'dos. Don't know if this is true.That seems incredible. My little sister Maureen would have been 47 years this year. She was born in April 1955 and died soon after Janet. I remember we were playing with her through the hurricane.
Sheila Butcher.